Luverne wrestlers win big in Flandreau

Luverne Cardinal wrestlers showed up in a big way for their first tournament Saturday, Dec. 3, in Flandreau, South Dakota.
According to coach Jordan Kopp, each and every wrestler contributed to the team and fed off each other’s energy in the match.
“These kids left it all out on the mat,” he said.
“I remember after the third round, one of the coaches came up and said we had a 30-point lead, and it started to become reality that we were legit contenders.”
The Cardinals took the team championships in both the boys’ and girls’ divisions Saturday, beating out 12 other South Dakota teams.
Madison, South Dakota, was the second-place team, coming in 20 points behind the Cardinals.
In the boys’ division Luverne placed 11 wrestlers on the podium.
First-place honors went to Leif Ingebretsen in the 126-pound weight class and DJ Rock in the 160-pound class.
Second-place winners were Bernie Rock at 113 pounds, Matthew Gangestad at 120, Jaden Reisch at 152 and Sam Rock at 170.
Third-place winners were Josh Stroh at 132 pounds and Masyn Akkerman at 285.
Fourth-place winners were Brody Kopp at 106 pounds, Rayden Boyenga at 132, and Hudson Hough at 138.
In the girls’ division Luverne placed four champions. Zakayda Bradley was first at 106 pounds, Julia Hoogland at 126, CeCe Rock at 143 and Andi Luitjens at 154.
“It was an awesome feeling knowing how hard these kids have worked,” Kopp said.
“It showed in their wrestling and even better that they were able to take home first place.”
The Cardinals were scheduled to travel to the Redwood Valley Invitational Tuesday, Dec. 6, and the Jackson County Central Invitational Saturday, Dec. 10.